Crusaders head coach Clive Griffiths is expecting another tough game this weekend when his side visit Featherstone Rovers in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

After seeing off one of Griffiths’ old clubs, Pilkington Recs, in the third round, Crusaders were drawn against Rovers, who beat the Wrexham-based club at the Racecourse in March.

And Griffiths believes the fact the game is in Yorkshire will make the task of getting through to the next round even more difficult.

He said: “I’ve played up there myself and I know it’s a tough location to go and visit.

“There’s a bit of a hill there; there’s a big advantage for whoever is playing down in the second half.

“It’s a tough draw for us, but it’s not the ground that’s going to win the game for either side – it’s the attitude.

“We asked a few questions of ‘Fev’ at our place, but we still felt we did not ask enough. We can change that this time.”

North Wales could still be missing a number of players for this weekend’s game – but Griffiths sees that as an opportunity for others to step up to the plate.

He said: “It’s a good opportunity for some of the others who may come in to put their hands up, and show me what they can do.”

Although Griffiths would like to do well in the cup, he feels that the Championship campaign is of much more importance this season.

He said: “The Challenge Cup is a great competition, and it’s lovely to go to places like Hull FC last season and go up against old sides that you’ve played for or coached at, but the most important thing is concentrating on the league.

“Five teams are going down this season and, like others in our situation, our main goal is to finish in ninth place or higher.”